Looking Back

As I reflect on this year I am struck by the realization that the memories I hold closest to my heart are both treasured and defining.  On Monday we celebrated Nicole's first birthday.  On one hand I am still in a state of disbelief that we've been a little family of three for an entire year but on the other hand, I can't seem to comprehend the fact that it's only been a year.  My struggle with the magnitude of this milestone stems from hundreds of defining moments that continually flood my thoughts as I watch Nicole grow and change each and every day.  Shawn and I sat down together to swap some of our favorite memories from the year and we thought we'd let you in on the conversation.

Shawn: I remember the first night in the hospital after Nicole was born.  I couldn't believe we had a baby.  I remember when she would start to cry and we would have to look at each other and start figuring things out on our own.

Erica: I remember Shawn announcing Nicole's gender by telling me that one of my students had guessed right.  I was so sure we were having a boy that it took me a couple of days to adjust to Nicole being a girl.  Now I can't imagine her being anyone else but I was pretty surprised at first.

Shawn: The first full day we were home with Nicole we just wanted to take her out of the house so that we knew we could do it.  We decided to go to Target and it took us 45 minutes to get ready - but we made it!

Erica: What I remember most about that maiden voyage to Target was walking around the store and noticing all of the people who were smiling to themselves as they peaked into Nicole's stroller.  I had never experienced anything like it before and it's become one of my favorite things about taking Nicole shopping.

Shawn: One night early on when we were both up in her bedroom trying to get her to sleep I was sitting on the floor telling Erica that we needed to pause and enjoy this moment so that we could remember it fondly, which I do.

Erica: I remember Shawn telling me to pause during many stressful moments.  The first few times he prompted me to do it, I had no desire to follow his advice because it felt stupid to me to intentionally remember an inconsolable baby or some of our longest nights together.  Eventually I realized that he was prompting me to remember our teamwork, our partnership and the state of our family.  We have all grown together in big ways this year and those moments he asked me to pause and remember are some of the clearest examples I have of that growth.

Shawn: The first time we took Nicole to church we kept her in her carseat right by our sides the whole time.  Now we have to go get her early from the nursery so that she can listen to the closing worship songs.  I wonder if having her in there with us for those first few weeks contributed to this.

Erica: I remember having a very hard time paying attention to what was going on in church because I kept peering into Nicole's carseat to make sure that she was okay.  After we finally took the plunge and put her in the nursery I remember compulsively checking my phone to make sure the volunteers hadn't texted or called me to come get Nicole.  Bringing her into the end of service is one of my favorite parts of church.  I love being able to worship together as a family.

These are just a few of the memories that came to mind as we reflected upon our first year as a family of three.  We talk often about how blessed we are that you have willingly entered into this new chapter of our lives with us and helped us love Nicole and each other in bigger and better ways.

With love,
Shawn & Erica